Gulzar was defending child, court told

Dutch-born dancer Jimmy Gulzar, the former husband of Spice Girl Mel B, did smack a child during a visit to a zoo, a court was told today.

But in order to show that he was guilty of assault the Crown had to prove that when he smacked an autistic three-year-old boy he was not acting in reasonable self-defence of another, John Burton, defending, told Horseferry Road magistrates’ Court in central London.

Gulzar, 35, denies assaulting the youngster in a play area at London Zoo on September 1, 2001.

The attack is alleged to have happened after the three-year-old boy pushed a two-year-old girl who was with Gulzar’s group.

The prosecution alleges that Gulzar lost his temper and smacked the child.

Mr Burton told District Judge Anthony Evans at Horseferry Road Magistrates’ Court in central London: “There is clearly no doubt Mr Gulzar did hit the child. That is not an issue in this case.

“The issue is whether or not the Crown can prove that he did not act in reasonable self-defence of another.”

Mr Burton said Gulzar had slapped the boy on his backside because of his “reasonable fears in the circumstances”.

The boy was left with a deep red mark measuring 8cm x 5cm, the court has heard.

Gulzar insisted when he gave evidence yesterday that he had done nothing wrong.